Lymphocyte transformation in elderly non-insulin-dependent diabetics before and after improved glycaemic control

Mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformation was examined in 23 elderly patients with poorly controlled Type II diabetes before and after achieving improved glycaemic control with sulphonylureas and compared with 11 healthy controls of similar age. No difference between groups was seen after incubation of lymphocytes with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Lymphocyte transformation after 10 micrograms/ml concanavalin A (con A) was significantly greater in diabetic patients after improved control and when compared to healthy controls (p less than 0.025). The response to 5 micrograms/ml and 10 micrograms/ml pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was greatest in diabetic patients after effective metabolic control.